Support the Loch Ness 360° Trail
Visit Inverness Loch Ness Ltd is a small not-for-profit limited company funded 75% by tourism businesses in the Inverness and Loch Ness area who pay an annual fee to the organisation to:
- Improve the tourism infrastructure of the destination
- Market and promote the destination
- Support sustainable events and festivals
- Support the growth of the meetings, incentives, conference and events market
- Support business development of local businesses
- Act as a voice for the local industry on matters of local and national concern
The LochNess360ﹾ trail which comes under the remit of tourism infrastructure, was developed by Visit Inverness Loch Ness Ltd when in 2019 they linked up the Great Glen Way on the north side of Loch Ness with the South Loch Ness Trail on the south side following completion of the last major section of the trail between Glendoe and Loch Tarff.
Developing and constructing the trail though is the easy part, maintaining and improving the trail and trail facilities is more challenging. It requires money, money to make the trail more accessible to all, improve signage and facilities along its route, make general improvements such as putting in benches at viewpoints and to be able to afford repairs when they are required. Repairs in particular can be very expensive. In 2016, for example, after heavy rain one of the trail bridges was in danger of being severely damaged by a huge tree root. We had to send in a digger team for three days work and in doing so wiped out our entire maintenance budget for the year.
On the north side of Loch Ness responsibility for maintenance and development of the Great Glen Way lies with Highland Council but on the South Loch Ness Trail lies it is with Visit Inverness Loch Ness Ltd and if we are to realise the ambition to make the LochNess360ﹾ one of Scotland’s truly iconic trails, then we require the funds to undertake this vital work. If we can’t then ultimately the experience for visitors and community alike will decline and hence why we ask you to consider making a contribution to our Loch Ness360ﹾ Visitor Giving project.
By making a contribution there will be no delay in undertaking maintenance work and it will enable work to install more facilities where people can stop awhile, rest, enjoy the peace and quiet of the environment and learn more of the rich heritage, flora and fauna of the area. This includes our beloved red squirrel which adorns all way marking on the South Loch Ness Trail!
LochNess360ﹾ Visitor Giving Project
All funds received through the LochNess360ﹾ Giving Project are ring fenced to be spent on the trail. At the end of each financial year we will publish on the LochNess360ﹾ website how much has been raised and what your contribution has been spent on.
If you have made a contribution and would like to be kept up to date with developments on the Loch Ness 360° Trail, please sign up here.
Thank you,
Michael Golding, CEO
Visit Inverness Loch Ness